Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: nutrient

  1. #1
    Members
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Saskatchewan Canada
    Posts
    30

    nutrient

    I have one question...how do you know when you have the right nutrient level for your grow bed? Is there a piece of equipment that can be used?

  2. #2
    Moderator stucco's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    palmbay florida
    Posts
    755

    Re: nutrient

    I only watch my nitrate levels and any leaf yellowing. The plants will let you know.
    Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.-- Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
    Simplicity of character is the natural result of profound thought~fortune cookie

  3. #3
    Moderator jackalope's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Montana, USA
    Posts
    878

    Re: nutrient

    go on ebay and get a Master test Kit by AquaPharmaceuticals - keep track of your PH, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, etc. with that!
    I use the Linux Operating System ...... Free as in beer!
    You're never too old to learn something
    Aquaponics - food'n'fish at your doorstep

    Helena, Montana - Home of the Northernmost Monument to the Confederacy

  4. #4
    Moderator badflash's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Malden Bridge, NY
    Posts
    1,544

    Re: nutrient

    I'm with Stucco. Watch the plants. If you must test, pH and Nitrates and calcium hardness are what is important to plants. You need to strike a balance between what the fish need and what the plants need.
    The best fertilizer is the farmer's shadow

  5. #5
    Members
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Saskatchewan Canada
    Posts
    30

    Re: nutrient

    A few years ago I aet up an aquaponix system. It didn't work. I had too few fish and too many plants. I had an eight foot pool two feet high with six 4" koi and 4 4" gold fish going through a 4'X8'X6" deep grow bed. The plant didn't grow very well, but the water coming out of it had lower nitrates than the tap water used for the pool.

    This time, I want to set up a system that I can easinly move from the greenhouse to my workshop in the winter. I now have minnows that I have been growing for a couple years. If I can't solve a couple issues with the minnows, I will have to switch to other fish.

  6. #6
    Members
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Fairport Harbor, Ohio
    Posts
    1,073

    Re: nutrient

    what kind of minnows, and what kind of issues?

  7. #7
    Members
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Saskatchewan Canada
    Posts
    30

    Re: nutrient

    I have a mix of rosie reds and wild minnows. The issue is, that if I want them to reproduce, I don't want the fry to get caught up in the system. I could try a spnge on the inlet of the outgoing pump, but then it might plug up often. Or, I could section off an area with a fine screen. Just not sure yet.

  8. #8
    Members
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Fairport Harbor, Ohio
    Posts
    1,073

    Re: nutrient

    i'll be interested in your progress with the rosy reds.. i've been puzzling over that myself as i have aroudn 30 or 40 rosy's in one of my tanks.. thinking i'll section the 55gal tank, and try to find the eggs when they happen and move to their own little area.. but from what i've read, the male will protect them for a while..

    keep us informed!

  9. #9
    Moderator urbanfarmer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Zone 9b
    Posts
    2,294

    Re: nutrient

    I'm with the fellas on this one. Use the basic aquarium kit that checks the levels for the fish, but otherwise watch the plants.

Similar Threads

  1. Nutrient Deficiency
    By urbanfarmer in forum Back Yard Systems
    Replies: 33
    Last Post: 02-02-2015, 04:23 PM
  2. Nutrient deficiency in Broccoli and Pepper
    By crosshairs in forum Veggies in General
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 08-21-2013, 06:20 AM
  3. Safe Seaweed Nutrient
    By wh33t in forum Aquaponics Knowhow
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 09-14-2011, 01:47 PM
  4. Nutrient burn?
    By wh33t in forum Want To Know HOW TO..?
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 03-20-2011, 12:16 PM
  5. Nutrient levels and supplementation in aquaponics
    By badflash in forum Aquaponics Knowhow
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 03-02-2010, 03:06 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •